Door opening and closing mechanism.



` F. KNIGHT.

DGOR OPENING AND CLOSING MEGHANISM. APPLIoATIoN FILED JULY 1a, 1911.

, 1,037,267, Patented Sept. 3, 1912.

Z SHEETS-SHEBT l.

l\ W//VESSES: 'AY-T QV MW?? Patented Sept. 3, 1912.

TTORA/EY F. KNIGHT. DOOR OPENING AND CLOSING MBGHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 18, 1911.

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y collectively constitute a FRANK KNIGHT, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

'DOOR OPENING AND To all whom. il? may concern. v

Be it known that I, FRANiLKNiGnT, a citizen ct the United States, residing at New Havemcounty of New Haven, State of Connecticut, have invented an mprovement in Door Opening and Closing Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

rThis invention has for its general object to provide mechanism for automatically effecting the opening and closing of one or more doers or the like by the operation of a button or other device, or, preferably, by the operation of any one of a `series of such devices suitably or conveniently located.

The more particular objects of the invention, together with means whereby the same lnay be carried into yei'ect, will best be understood from the following description ot o-ne t'orm or embodiment thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It will lhe understood, however, that the construction described and shown has been chosen Jfor illustrativepurposes merely, and that the invention may be embodied in other forms without departing thereof.

1n said drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view, partly broken away,'ot` a door having opening and closing mechanism applied thereto, the operating cylinder and its associated valve being shown in section on the line 1p1, Fig. 7. Fig. 2 is a detail section on the same plane as Fig. 1, of a portion of the operating cylinder and valve showing the position of the parts when the door is open. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but taken on the line 3-3, Fig. 7. Fig. 4 is a view, partly diagrammatic and partly in section, of the electromagnet, the circuit inwhich said electromagnet is located and the controlling valve actuated thereby. Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the muttler and back pressure o-r exhaust' valve. Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the inlet pressure regulating valve. Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the operating cylinder valve. Fig. 8 is a side view, partly in section on the line 8-8, Fig. 4, ot the controlling valve actuating means and contain ing also a diagrammatic representation of the signaling circuit. Figs. 9 and 10 are sectional views on the lines 9-9 and 1010, respectively, Fig. 4. Figs. 4 to 7 inclusive, diagrammatic rep` from the spirit and scope Speeicaton of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 18,

CLOSING MECHANISM.,

Patented Sept. 3., 1912.

1911. Serial N0. 639.150.

resentation of the controlling mechanism as a whole, while Fig. 1 shows more particularly the door operating mechanism controlled thereby.

For convenience the part operated is herein designated as a door,77 although this term is intended to include such similar devices as windows, gates, and the like to which the apparatus is equally applicable, as will be obvious.

12 (Fig. 4) denotes an electromagnet,suit ably located and supported, and energized by an electric circuit comprising wires 13, 13 leading from a battery or other source of electric energy 14, said circuit being adapted to be closed by any one of a series of buttons or other circuit closing devices 15 arranged at any convenient point or points. The armature 16 (Figs. 4 and 8) of the magnet 12 is pivoted upon any normally held away from the .magnet by a spring 17. Pivoted, as by a screw 19, to the armature 1G, is a pawl 18 normally held in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 8 by a spring 20. The pawl 18 cooperates with a ratchet 21 having an even number of teeth, herein shown as eight, and rigidly secured to or formed integral with the controlling valve 22, herein shown as a tapered turning plug held firmly seated in its casing 23 by a spring 24. 4

. 25 and 26 denote wires connected, respectively, with the armature 1G and valve casing 23, said wires constituting an electric circuit including a battery or other source of electric energy 27 and a signal or alarm device such as a bell 28. The arrangement. is such that when the pawl 18 is brought intoV contact with the ratchet 21 the circuit is closed and the signal 0r alarm device operated.

The valve 22 is provided with one or more inlet passages 29 (see Figs. 4 and 9) and, in another plane, with an equal number of exhaust passages 30 (see Fig. 10,). As herein shown there are two of each of these passages extending entirely through the valve 22 at right angles to one another, the passages 29 being ojset angularly with respect to the passages 30.

31 denotes a pipe leadingmfrom a source ot fluid under pressure, such as compressed air, and communicating with a port 32 in suitable support and is port 33 communicating `pipe 34 is continued in the valve casing 23, which port is connected, in certain positions of the valve 22, by oneA or the other of the inlet passages 29, with a with a. pipe 34.` The branch 36 communicating with'a port 37 in the valve casing 23, which port 37 is connected, in certain other positions of the valve 22, by one or the other of theexhaust pas sages 30, with the port 38 communicating with a pipe 39 leading to the muiler 40 (see Fig. 5). The arrangement is such that when the ports 32 and 33 are connected. by

v ports 32 and 33 from the 41 denotes an adjustab e exhaust or backpressure valve for controlling the admission .a cylinder or casing 4,3

'mined amount the piston be controlled by -consequently the of fluid from the pipe 39 to the chamber of the mutiier 40, said Huid afterward escaping fromsaid 'muffler through an outlet opening 42.

The pipe `35 (see Fig. 6) communicates with a fluid pressure regulator comprising having a valve seat 44 coperating with a valve 45 provided with a stem 46 secured to a piston 47 work ing in the cylinder 43. 48 denotes a spring interposed between the piston 47 and a screw cap 49 by which -the vtension of said spring may be adjusted. With the parts in the position shown in Fig. 6 the valve '45 is open, providing communication between the pipe 35 and a pipe 50 leading from the regulator casing 43.. Should the pressure in the casing 43 rise beyond a certain predeter- 47 will be moved 1n oppositionto the spring 48 to close the valve 45 and therebyshut oil' communication between the pipes 35 and 50. The pressure at which the valve 45 will close may adjusting the cap 49 and tension of the spring 48.

The pipe 50 leads to the door or doors -which it is desired to operate (there being one only shown in the drawings) and com- -frame or other valve 52 is'preferably of' slightly taperedv municates at its end (see Fig;` 7) with a nipple 51 projecting from the operating cylinder valve 52 (see also Figs. 1, 2 and 3). The valve 52 has an in terior chamber 53 and is rigidly set screws 56, in arms 54 projectbracket 55 secured to the door stationary support. The

held, as by ing from a form to coperate wlth the tapered bore of a sleeve 57 formed upon the head 58 of the operating cylinder 59, said valve and sleeve being held Ain close engagement by' a spring 64. The

a-pipe 35 having av l the port 60.

valve 52`is provided with ports '60 l cylinder 59 and holding 62 out of register with the and 6l communicating respectively lwith ports 62 and 63 in the cylinder head 58'.. denotes a spring pressed check valve con-fv 75 trolling communication ber 53 'and the port 61.

between the cham- The arrangement of the ports 60 and 62 is such that with the parts in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1 the port 62is in communication with the port 60, but when the parts are turned Vinto the position shown in dotted lines vin Fig. 1 and in full lines in Figs. 2 and 3 the port 62 is carried out of communication with 65denotes a piston in the vcylinder 59,

said piston being backed by a spring 66 and.

iston rod 67 pivoted at 68 to a 1 having a lever 69. aid lever 69 is pivoted at one end to a bracket 70 secured to the door 71, and at the other end, at 72, to a radius arm 73 which, in turn, is pivoted at its opposite end, as at 74, to the braclet 55 or other stationary support on the door frame.

The operation of the apparatus is as fo1- Alows: When it is desired to'open the door 71, one of the buttonsl is pressed,-`thereby closing the circuit through the battery 14 and the electro-magnet 12 and energizing said magnet, which thereupon armature 16, moving the same from the position shown in full'lines in Fig. 8 tothe position shown in dotted lines'therein, and causing the pawl 1,8 to .engage the ratchet 21 and turn the same through the space of one tooth. Engagement of the pawl 18 with the ratchet 2l closes the circuit through the wires 25 and 26, 'battery 27 and `bell 28, causing said bell to be sounded to indicate the fact that theA door is being operated. Turning of the 'ratchet 22 to be turned into the position shown in Figs. 4, 9 and v10, thereby carrying both of the passages 30 out of register with the ports 37 and 38 and connecting the ports 32 and 33 through one qfthe passages 29. Flui-:l pressure from the pipe 31 is thereupon admitted through the pipe 34 to the pipe 35 and thence through the fluid pressure regulator and pi4 50 to the chamber 53 of the operating cy inder valve 52, from which the same passes throu h the ports 60 and 62 tothe interior of t `e\ erating cylinder 59. The piston 65 is thereup p d in opposition to the spring 66, cau of the lever 69 from the in full lines in Fig. 1 to thev positionshown in dotted lines therein, and opening the door 7l. During the opening movement of the door, tlcylinder 59 is turned on the valve 52' from the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1 to the position shown in dotted lines therein, and in full lines in Figs. 2 and 3. is movement carries the port port 60, thereby er pressure in the trapping the iiuidund the door open until attracts its 21 causes the valve when said door has 6@ cessive fractional turn said doors may the controlling mechanism is again operated to close said door. Then it is desired to close the door one of the buttons 15 is again pressed, thereby again energizing the magnet 12 and causing another operation of the armature 1G to turn the ratchet 21 through the space of one tooth and again sound the\ alarm 28. This last turning of the ratchet. Q1 causes the valve 22 to turn from the position shoivn in Figs. 4, 9 and 1() into a position in which communication between the ports and $33 is shut off and communication established through one of the passages 8O betiveen the ports 37 and 38. The pressure on valve 45 of the regulator is thereby reduced, whereupon spring 48 unseats said valve. The spring G6 thereupon operates to return the piston 65 to the position shown in Fig. 1 and close the door 71, the fluid under pressure in the cylinder 59 passing through the ports 63 and 61, lifting the check valve T5 and passing through the chamber to the pipe 50, thence through the pressure regulator casing 43, pipe 35, branch 3G, port 37, passage 30, port 38, pipe 3S) and valve 41 to the muftler 40 from which it may escape to the atmosphere or be exhausted in. any other Way through the outlet opening 4Q.

ln order to regulate the speed at which the door will be opened the cap 49 of the fluid pressure regulator may be adjusted to vary the pressure of the fluid admitted to the operating cylinder 59. Similarly in 0rder to adjust the speed at which the door ivill be closed the back pressure or exhaust yalve l1 may-be setto permit the fluid under pressure to be exhausted from the cylinder 59 under the action of the spring 66 at any desired rate.

It will be observed that the door 71 may, if desired, be opened by hand at any time' without interference `by the operating mechanism described. @n the other hand been automatically opened b y the operation of any of the cir cuit closing devices 15 it must be closed by a second operation of one of these devices, since, as above stated, when the door has been completely opened by admitting fluid pressure to the cylinder 59 the port 62 is moved out of register with the port 60, thereby holding the door in open position until the valve 22 has been turned to permit such fluid pressure to be exhausted through the passages 3() in said valve.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the passages 29 and 30 in the valve 2Q are alternatively operative so that at each sucof said valve by means of the pawl 18 and ratchet 21 the door will be alternately opened and closed.

lf it be desired to cause the simultaneous operation of a plurality of doors, each of be provided with operating mechanism similar to that described and the pipe 50 formed with a corresponding number of branches, as will be obvious.

Having thus described my invention I claim:

1. rhe combination with a movable element. of a fluid pressure operating device therefor, and a valve for said operating de vice, the latter being provided with a pivot member encircling said valve,said valve and operating device being provided with means that cause thefluid pressure to be trapped when the movable element reaches the limit of its movement.

2. The combination with a movable element., of a fluid pressure operating device therefor, and a valve for said operating device, saidl operating device being supported upon and inclosing said valve, said valve and operating device being adapted to trap the fluid pressure when the movable element reaches the limit of its movement.

3. The combination Wit-h a movable element, of a fluid pressure operating device therefor, and a valve for said operating device, the latter being provided with a pivot member encircling said valve, said valve and operating device having coperating parts arranged to be out of register so that the pressure is trapped in the operating device when the movable element reaches the limit of its movement.

L1:."ll`he combination with a door, of a fluid pressure operating device for said door, a stationary valve for said device having inlet and exhaust ports communicating with said device, and a check valve between said ports.

5. A door operating device comprising a fluid pressure motor including a stationary valve and a cylinder pivotally mounted thereon, the cylinder andvalve being provided \vith cooperating inlet and exhaust ports, means carried by the valve and actuated by the fluid pressure therein for controlling said ports, a spring pressed piston in the cylinder, and door swinging means actuated by the piston.

(i. A door operating device comprising a lluid pressure motor including a rotary controlling valve provided With inlet and exhaust ports, manually controlled means for operating the valve step by step, and means for trapping the fluid pressure in the motor when the door reaches the limit of ene of its movements.

7. 1n a device ofthe character described, the combination of fluid pressure operated mechanism for actuating a door, a valve for said mechanism provided with inlet and eX- haust ports, and means carried by the valve and actuated by the fluid pressure therein for controlling said ports.

8. A door operating device comprising a fluid pressure motor including a stationary valve, a cylinder having a sleeve surrounding said valve, said valve and said sleeve having complemental tapering surfaces, the sleeve and valve being provided with coperating inlet and exhaust ports, means for holding s aid tapered surfaces in closed engagement, a spring pressed piston in the cylinder, and door swinging means actuated by the piston.

9. A door operating device comprising. a fluid pressure motor including a stationary valve, a cylinder having a sleeve mounted to oscillate on said valve, the cylinder and valve being provided with coperating inlet and exhaust ports, means carried by the valve and actuated by the fluid pressure therein for controlling said ports, a spring pressed piston .in the cylinder, and door swinging means actuated by the piston.

10. A door operating device comprising a Huid pressure motor including a stationary valve provided with a longitudinal chamber, and a cylinder pivotally mounted on said valve, the cylinder and valve being provided with inlet and exhaust ports, and a check valve in said chamber between said ports.

l1. A door operating device comprising a fluid pressure motor including a stationary valve having a longitudinal chamber and a cylinder pivotally mounted on said valve, the cylinder and valve being provided with coperating inlet and exhaust ports, a speed regulating device communicating with one end of said chamber, and means carried by the valve and actuated by the fluid pressure therein for controlling said ports.

In testimony whereof I alix my signature in presence of t-wo witnesses.

FRANK KNIGHT. lvitnesses:

A. M. l/VOOSTER, S. W. ATHER'ioN. 

